Centre confirms first Mpox case in India, says no widespread risk

The government on Monday confirmed the first case of Monkeypox (Mpox) in India and said there was no indication of any widespread risk to the public at this time. The health ministry said that the isolated case of the Mpox virus has been verified as a travel-related infection.

"Laboratory testing has confirmed the presence of Mpox virus of the West African clade 2 in the patient," the health ministry said.

This case is an isolated one, similar to the earlier 30 cases reported in India from July 2022 onwards, and is not a part of the current public health emergency (reported by WHO) which is regarding clade 1 of Mpox, it added.


A young male who recently travelled from a country experiencing Mpox transmission, is currently isolated at a designated tertiary care isolation facility. "The patient remains clinically stable and is without any systemic illness or comorbidities," the ministry said.

"Public health measures, including contact tracing and monitoring, are actively in place to ensure the situation is contained. There is no indication of any widespread risk to the public at this time," it said.